The Victory Academy has the chance to secure the VPL1 title tomorrow night when they host Kingston City at John Cain Memorial Park.
Match Details
Victory Academy v Kingston City
Date: Sat 10 Aug
Time: Gates open: 1:30pm | KO: 3pm
Location: John Cain Memorial Park
Ticketing
Adults: $10
Students/Pensioners/Concession Holders: $5
Juniors (14 & Under): Free
With only two matches remaining in the VPL1 season, a win on Saturday afternoon would secure the title for the Victory Academy and in turn, lock in promotion to the NPL.
However, if Preston Lions were to draw or lose their round 25 fixture, to be played on Friday 9 August, then promotion would be secured prior to tomorrow night’s match.
It was a ten-goal thriller last time out in the VPL1, with the Victory Academy recording a dramatic comeback against Bulleen Lions.
After a less-then-ideal first half, our boys in blue were down 2-0 with plenty of work to do after the main break.
However, it was the Lions who came firing out of the blocks after the re-start.
A foul in the penalty area handed Bulleen the chance to score their third from the spot.
The penalty was duly converted, as Bulleen flexed their muscles.
The next 15 minutes though would prove to be pure chaos.
Tommaso Minutoli took the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring twice in a matter of minutes, the second from the penalty spot, to pull his team right back into the contest.
Despite the resurgence, Bulleen had a prompt response, scoring their fourth just before the hour mark to restore their two-goal advantage.
Marc Petheriotis and Jordan Hoey were substituted into the game soon after as coach Trani looked for another route back into the contest.
The changes paid dividends, as Petheriotis added his name to the scoresheet in the 67th minute to keep Victory’s hopes alive.
An even more incredible moment was soon to follow, as, in the 89th minute, Victory was awarded a free-kick just outside the box.
Adem Duratović took on the responsibility, executing a sublime free-kick that struck the inside of the frame of the goal before ending up in the back of the net.
Victory had clawed their way back to 4-4, but looked to have had their hearts broken again in stoppage time, when a fifth Bulleen goal returned the hosts to the lead.
However, the game had one final twist in store.
A penalty in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time allowed Duratović the chance to equalise at the death for a second time. The number 9 made no mistake from the spot, with the scoreline reading an unbelievable 5-5 when the final whistle blew.
Victory’s promotion party was put on ice, with another point required to guarantee a top-two finish.
It was a positive result last time out against Kingston City, with our boys in blue securing a 1-2 win back in Round 12. Adem Duratović and Alex Menelaou the goalscorers on the day.
Kingston City currently sit in 11th place on the VPL1 table, unable to be relegated or promoted with only two matchdays remaining.
